Cleaner bar support structure for compactor wheel

ABSTRACT

A compactor wheel has a framework which surrounds the wheel and supports cleaner bars which project into the spaces between rows of compactor tamping pads. A specially constructed bearing and support structure is provided for supporting an outboard beam component of the cleaner bar framework with respect to the compactor wheel.

United States Patent Inventor Victor Randour Aurora, Ill.

App]. No. 52,283

Filed July 6, 1970 Patented Jan. 11, 1972 Assignee Caterpillar Tractor Co. Peoria, Ill.

CLEANER BAR SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR COMPACTOR WHEEL 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 94/50 PR, 280/ 158 R Int. Cl E0lc 19/23 Field of Search 280/158 R,

158 A; 94/50, 59 PR [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,437,524 3/1948 Harrison 94/50 PR 2,589,829 3/1952 Tourneau 94/50 PR 3,067,658 12/1962 Palmiter 94/50 PR 3,183,804 5/1965 Le Tourneau 94/50 PR 3,554,101 1/1971 Grantet al r. 94/50 PR Primary Examiner-Jacob L. Nackenoff Attorney-Fryer, Tjensvold, Feid, Phillips & Lempio ABSTRACT: A compactor wheel has a framework which surrounds the wheel and supports cleaner bars which project into the spaces between rows of compactor tamping pads. A specially constructed bearing and support structure is provided for supporting an outboard beam component of the cleaner bar framework with respect to the compactor wheel.

PATENTEUJAHIHSYZ 3633Q471 SHEET 2 BF 2 E E E 48 Iii/LUTOR VICTOR RANDOUR ATTORN EYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to compactor wheels of the type having spaced rows of compactor feet or pads which serve to compact the earth as the machine passes thereover. More particularly, the invention relates to a framework which surrounds a compactor wheel and has cleaner bars mounted on the framework which project between rows of the pads on the wheel for removing material which collects between the compactor pads during operation of the machine. The invention is specifically directed to a support structure for the outboard beam of the cleaner bar framework.

In the operation of compactor wheels in clay or other types of earth, particularly when damp, material collects between the rows of compactor pads thereby reducing the efficiency of compaction. It has been common practice to provide cleaner bars projecting between the rows of compactor pads to remove the material which tends to collect between the pads. These cleaner bars are supported on a frame which surrounds the wheel. The inboard side or beam of the frame may be suitably connected to the spindle or axle housing which supports the compactor wheel. However, problems have been encountered with respect to the supporting connection between the compactor wheel and the outboard beam component of the cleaner bar framework. These problems center around the fact that a rotatable bearing connection must be made between the wheel and the outboard beam of the cleaner bar framework so that the wheel may rotate relative to the outboard beam. During the operation of the compactor wheel considerable stress is imposed upon the framework and imparts a twisting action thereto. This twisting force can damage rotatable components associated with the compactor wheel, such as the gearing assembly, if it is transferred directly to such components. Also, the location of the bearing itself which provides the rotatable connection between the compactor wheel and the cleaner bar framework is important in order to minimize the forces transmitted to the bearing.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a bearing and support structure between the compactor wheel and the outboard beam component of the cleaner bar framework whereby the large stresses and twisting forces imposed on the outboard beam of the framework will be transferred to and absorbed by the compactor wheel itself rather than by rotatable elements such as the gear assembly of the compactor wheel.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what are now considered to be the best modes contemplated for applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the compactor wheel and cleaner bar support frame as viewed from the outboard side of the support frame;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 1 with the central portion of the wheel shown in section;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the rotatable connection between the compactor wheel and the outboard beam of the cleaner bar framework; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a modified embodiment of the rotatable connection between the compactor wheel and the outboard beam of the cleaner bar framework.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a compactor wheel 10 having rows of compactor pads 12 distributed about its periphery. As best shown in FIG. 2 the compactor wheel 10 is mounted on a spindle or axle housing 14.

A brake assembly of conventional construction is generally indicated at 16. A rotatable drive axle 18 extends through the spindle l4 and has a gear element I9 formed on the outer end thereof. A gear reduction assembly, generally shown at 20, meshes with the drive axle gear 19 for transmitting torque from the drive axle 18 to a rotatable final drive housing 22. The flnal drive housing 22 is rotatably supported on the spindle 14 by bearing elements shown at 24.

An external flange 26 is formed on the final drive housing 22 at a location which is midway between the inboard and outboard sides of the compactor wheel 10. The compactor wheel 10 is provided with an inner rim 28 which defines a hollow core for housing the previously described brake and gearing elements. The rim 28 is provided with an internal flange 30 which is fixedly secured to the flange 26 by volts 32 so that the wheel 10 rotates with the drive housing 22.

A boxlike frame is generally shown at 26 and the frame supports a plurality of cleaner bars 38. The frame 36 comprises an inboard beam structure 40 which is suitably secured to the spindle 14 by brackets 42. The frame 36 further comprises an outboard beam member 44 and the inboard and outboard beams are connected to each other by end beams 46 and 48. The end beams 46 and 48 support the cleaner bars 38 which are situated between each two rows of pads or teeth 12 at the forward and rearward end of the compactor wheel 10. This arrangement of cleaner bars is desirable because compactors are very often operated in forward and reverse directions instead of turning as they reach the end of an area being compacted.

The present invention is particularly concerned with the support of the outboard beam member 44 of the compactor frame 36. It is particularly important that any twisting or torque forces imposed on the frame 36 be transferred to the heavy and rigid compactor wheel itself rather than to the gear reduction assembly 20. Should these forces be transmitted directly to the gear housing of the gear reduction assembly the gears may become misaligned or cocked and rapid wear leading to failure will occur. It is also important that the bearing arrangement between the compactor wheel 10 and the outboard beam member 44 be located at or very near the outboard beam where stress on the bearing is not too great.

The structure of the present invention which accomplishes these objectives comprises a plurality of spoke elements 48 which extend from the inner rim 28 of the wheel to a common ring element 50. The ring element 50 is located in the center of the wheel 10 and is closely adjacent the outboard beam 44.

The outboard beam 44 is provided with a bracket 52 which has clamp means 54 for rigidly holding a shaft 56 which extends into the ring element 50 as best shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 also illustrates a bearing element 58 and a seal assembly 60 which permit the ring element 50 and consequently the entire compactor wheel 10 to rotate with respect to the outboard beam 44.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention wherein the bearing assembly between the wheel 10 and outboard beam 44 is contained within the beam itself. In FIG. 4 those elements which are identical to elements shown in FIGS. l-3 are represented by primed numerals.

As shown in FIG. 4 a central portion of the outboard beam 44 is provided with a cap arrangement 70 which contains a housing 72. The housing 72 is provided with a short stub shaft 74. The housing also has an annular recessed portion 76. A support member 78 which is secured to the ring element 50 by bolts 80 extends into annular recess 76. As shown, a bearing-82 is disposed between the stub shaft 74 and the support member 78 so that the ring element 50' and consequently the entire compactor wheel may rotate relative to the outboard beam 44. A suitable sealing element 84 is disposed between the housing 72 and the support member 78.

With both the arrangements shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 it should be noted that any stresses or twisting forces applied to the outboard beam 44 of the cleaner frame will not be directly transmitted to'the gear reduction housing 22. Instead, such forces will be transmitted through the spoke elements 48 to the heavy and rigid structure of the inner rim 28 of the compactor wheel. This ensures a longer life for the gear reduction assembly 20 than would be the case if the bearing connection supporting the outboard beam were directly associated with the housing 22 of the gear reduction assembly.

In addition, by locating the outboard beam bearing support assembly on or closely adjacent to the outboard beam 44 there is a reduction in the stress on the bearing assembly when compared with a construction where a shaft extends from the outboard beam and is cantilevered directly to the gear reduction assembly.

While I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A compactor wheel assembly having a boxlike frame for supporting cleaner bars which extend between tamping pads on the periphery of the wheel, said compactor wheel assembly further comprising an inner rim defining a hollow core; a drive axle extending into the hollow core; a spindle surrounding a portion of the drive axle on the inboard side of the compactor wheel; said frame having an inboard beam supported by the spindle; said drive axle having gear means on the outer end thereof; said drive axle gear means interconnected with a gear reduction means; said gear reduction means having a final drive housing rotatably supported on the spindle; fastening means interconnecting the final drive housing and the inner rim of the compactor wheel at a location midway between the inboard and outboard sides of the wheel; said frame having an outboard beam extending along the outboard side of the compactor wheel; a plurality of spoke elements extending from the inner rim of the compactor wheel to a common ring element which is located at the center of the wheel and closely adjacent to the outboard beam of the frame; and a shaft and bearing connection formed between the center ring and the outboard beam of the frame for interconnecting the outboard beam of the frame with the compactor wheel.

2. A compactor wheel assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fastening means comprises cooperating flange elements formed on the final drive housing and the inner rim of the compactor wheel, said cooperating flange elements being secured to each other by bolt elements.

3. A compactor wheel as set forth in claim 1 wherein the shaft and bearing connection between the center ring and outboard beam of the frame is housed within a portion of the outboard beam.

4. A compactor wheel as set forth in claim I wherein the interconnection between the spoke elements of the compactor wheel and H16 outboard beam of the frame comprises a stub shaft fixedly secured to the outboard beam and extending into a bearing assembly housed in the center ring element formed at the central conjunction of the spoke elements. 

1. A compactor wheel assembly having a boxlike frame for supporting cleaner bars which extend between tamping pads on the periphery of the wheel, said compactor wheel assembly further comprising an inner rim defining a hollow core; a drive axle extending into the hollow core; a spindle surrounding a portion of the drive axle on the inboard side of the compactor wheel; said frame having an inboard beam supported by the spindle; said drive axle having gear means on the outer end thereof; said drive axle gear means interconnected with a gear reduction means; said gear reduction means having a final drive housing rotatably supported on the spindle; fastening means interconnecting the final drive housing and the inner rim of the compactor wheel at a location midway between the inboard and outboard sides of the wheel; said frame having an outboard beam extending along the outboard side of the compactor wheel; a plurality of spoke elements extending from the inner rim of the compactor wheel to a common ring element which is located at the center of the wheel and closely adjacent to the outboard beam of the frame; and a shaft and bearing connection formed between the center ring and the outboard beam of the frame for interconnecting the outboard beam of the frame with the compactor wheel.
 2. A compactor wheel assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fastening means comprises cooperating flange elements formed on the final drive housing and the inner rim of the compactor wheel, said cooperating flange elements being secured to each other by bolt elements.
 3. A compactor wheel as set forth in claim 1 wherein the shaft and bearing connection between the center ring and outboard beam of the frame is housed wIthin a portion of the outboard beam.
 4. A compactor wheel as set forth in claim 1 wherein the interconnection between the spoke elements of the compactor wheel and the outboard beam of the frame comprises a stub shaft fixedly secured to the outboard beam and extending into a bearing assembly housed in the center ring element formed at the central conjunction of the spoke elements. 